Design Engineering Specialist – Hydraulic Installation Expert

Career Area:

Engineering

Job Description:

Your Work Shapes the World at Caterpillar Inc.

When you join Caterpillar, you're joining a global team who cares not just about the work we do – but also about each other.  We are the makers, problem solvers, and future world builders who are creating stronger, more sustainable communities. We don't just talk about progress and innovation here – we make it happen, with our customers, where we work and live. Together, we are building a better world, so we can all enjoy living in it.

Caterpillar's Resource Industries Division is seeking a Design Engineering Specialist – Hydraulic Installation Expert to provide technical leadership for hydraulic system installation across Resource Industries products, including Rigid Frame Trucks, Load & Haul machines, Tracked Products, and emerging technology programs. In this highly visible role, you will establish hydraulic installation standards, mentor engineering teams, and drive consistent engineering practices that improve quality, efficiency, and execution across New Product Introduction (NPI) programs and continuous improvement initiatives.

 

What You'll Do:

• Develop and manage hydraulic installation design guides, standards, and engineering best practices.

• Serve as the technical expert for hydraulic installation across Resource Industries products and technology programs.

• Coach, mentor, and develop engineers in hydraulic installation design and integration.

• Champion common engineering processes that improve consistency, quality, and efficiency across teams.

• Define design requirements, performance characteristics, and technical specifications that support safety, quality, velocity, and cost objectives.

• Guide technical design reviews, project planning, detailed design activities, and development testing efforts.

• Participate in supplier selection activities and assess supplier capabilities to support program objectives.

• Evaluate emerging technologies, materials, and hydraulic components to identify product and process improvement opportunities.

• Support prototype construction and fabrication activities, including material selection and process optimization.

• Lead reliability testing, failure analysis, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement initiatives.

What Skills Will You Have:

Technical Excellence Serve as the technical authority for hydraulic installation design, routing, packaging, and system integration across Resource Industries products. Lead the development of engineering standards and design guidelines, mentor and coach engineers, and provide technical direction that drives quality, reliability, manufacturability, and product performance across NPI and continuous improvement programs.

Analytical Thinking Apply analytical tools and engineering expertise to identify root causes of complex hydraulic installation and integration challenges. Evaluate technical data, testing results, and field feedback to develop innovative solutions that improve safety, quality, reliability, and customer value.

Decision Making & Critical Thinking Lead technical decision-making by evaluating design alternatives, assessing risks, and recommending solutions that balance performance, cost, manufacturability, and customer requirements. Apply sound engineering judgment to support hydraulic system development and continuous improvement initiatives.

Effective Communications Communicate complex hydraulic installation concepts clearly and effectively across engineering, manufacturing, suppliers, and product teams. Mentor engineers, provide constructive technical guidance, and influence technical decisions while building alignment across cross-functional stakeholders.

Project Management Lead hydraulic installation activities for New Product Introduction (NPI) programs and continuous improvement projects. Plan, organize, prioritize, and execute engineering deliverables while managing risks, coordinating resources, and ensuring successful project outcomes.

Computer-Aided Design & Engineering Develop, analyze, and optimize hydraulic installation designs using advanced engineering and CAD tools. Lead design reviews, mentor engineers on design best practices, and guide system integration activities to ensure quality and consistency across programs.

Product Testing Develop and execute testing strategies that validate hydraulic system performance, reliability, and quality. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to incorporate testing requirements into system designs and drive improvements through data-driven validation activities.

Troubleshooting Technical Problems Apply advanced troubleshooting techniques and failure analysis methodologies to diagnose and resolve complex hydraulic system issues. Lead root cause investigations, mentor team members in effective problem-solving approaches, and drive improvements in system reliability and product performance.

Education & Experience Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Materials Science, or a related accredited technical discipline.

 

Top Candidates Will Have:

·         5+ years of hydraulic installation design experience.

·         Heavy equipment hydraulic installation experience.

·         Hydraulic design guide and standards development experience.

·         Technical leadership and mentoring experience.

·         NPI and continuous improvement experience.

·         Hydraulic testing and validation expertise.

·         Cross-functional and supplier collaboration experience.

 

Additional Information:

The primary work location for this role is Tucson, AZ OR Decatur, IL, with a requirement to work on-site full-time at a Caterpillar facility.

Up to 20% travel may be required.

Domestic relocation assistance is available.

Visa sponsorship, international assignments, or payroll transfers are not available for this role.

Posting Dates: 09/11/2026 - 09/25/2026

 

 

Summary Pay Range:

$128,470.00 - $192,710.00

Compensation and benefits offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, job level, market location, job-related knowledge, skills, individual performance and experience. Please note that salary is only one component of total compensation at Caterpillar. 

Benefits:

Subject to plan eligibility, terms, and guidelines. This is a summary list of benefits.

• Medical, dental, and vision benefits*

• Paid time off plan (Vacation, Holidays, Volunteer, etc.)*

• 401(k) savings plans*

• Health Savings Account (HSA)*

• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)*

• Health Lifestyle Programs*

• Employee Assistance Program*

• Voluntary Benefits and Employee Discounts*

• Career Development*

• Incentive bonus*

• Disability benefits

• Life Insurance

• Parental leave

• Adoption benefits

• Tuition Reimbursement

       

* These benefits also apply to part-time employees

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posting Dates:

Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a drug screen.

Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer, Including Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities.  Qualified applicants of any age are encouraged to apply.

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